This tour includes guided visits to some of the most interesting and characteristic places in Bulgaria. These are: Sofia (the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the St Sofia Church, the St George Rotunda, the National Museum of History), Rila and Rozhen Monasteries, Melnik, Plovdiv (the ancient fortress-wall, the Roman forum and stadium), Shipka Pass, Etura - open-air ethnographic museum, Veliko Turnovo (Tsarevets fortress), the museum-town of Arbanassi etc.

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Highlights:
♦Plovdiv – the second Bulgarian city in population and size after the capital, Plovdiv is famous for the Old Town with charming houses decorated with colourful ornaments.♦Veliko Turnovo – situated along the historical hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora on the two banks of Yantra River. The houses of the old town are like withe birds on the cliff side above Jantra river and create a magnificent view.♦Arbanasi – Austere houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high, solid walls and heavy gates, richly decorated and traditionally furnished on the inside.♦Rila Monastery – the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria. The legendary monastery lies in fantastic surroundings.♦Melnik (380 m a.s.l.) – the smallest and one of the most fascinating towns-museums in Bulgaria, known for wine and sandpyramids.

Itinerary:

Day 1. SofiaArrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Sofia city center. Short sightseeing tour of Sofia: the city has been founded more than 7 000 years ago. Main attractions are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the Crypt, National Theatre, St. Sofia church, Sofia’s oldest building the 4th century St. George Rotonda. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2. Sofia - Rila Monastery - MelnikDrive to Rila Monastery – the biggest and most important symbol of Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Monastery was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in 13th and 14th centuries. It is one of Europe’s oldest and included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1983. Behind the 20 meters walls lie impressive monastery buildings, a church and a chapel with valuable murals. The route continues to Melnik - Bulgaria's smallest town famous for its unique red wine and the natural sandstone pyramides. Close to Melnik lies the picturesque Rozhen Monastery dating from the 13th c. (the only Bulgarian monastery that remained unharmed during the Turkish yoke). Overnight stay in Melnik.

Day 3. Melnik - TrigradToday we drive trough the picturesque Rhodopi mountains, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary Orpheus and a territory where the ancient Thracian tribes celebrated their religious cults. The highlight of the day is our visit to Yagodina cave - among the longest ones in Bulgaria (with more than 10 000 m mapped so far), considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them. We spend the night in the town of Trigrad in the heard of the Rodopi Mountains.

Day 4. Trigrad - PlovdivToday we continue our picturesque drive through the Rhodopi mountains in order to get to Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. On the way we will stop to visit Chudnite mostove (Miraculous bridges) - a natural arch, formed by the forces in nature in the solid rock of the mountain. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 5. PlovdivSightseeing tour of Plovdiv. Plovdiv is the oldest still inhabited city in Europe on a par with Troy and Mikena. It has existed as a settlement for more than 8 000 years. It has been the capital of Ancient Thrace and a large trade centre in the Middle Ages. In the historic quarter of the city you will see beautifully decorated houses, ancient fortress walls, Roman theater and stadium, magnificent churches such as St. Konstantine and Helena Church. Free time. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.

Day 6. Plovdiv - Etara - Veliko Turnovo After breakfast departure for Veliko Turnovo. On the way to Veliko Turnovo there are visits to several interesting places. We head towards the town of Shipka, where we visit the memorial “Birth of Christ”, the Russian church. The dramatic background of the mountain makes prominent the gilt of the domes and the multi-colored decoration of the church façade and attracts people’s attention from long distance. Next stop is the “Etara” open air Ethnographic museum showing the everyday life of local people centuries ago. Proceed to Veliko Turnovo. Overnight stay in Veliko Turnovo

Day 7. Veliko Turnovo - KoprivshtitsaSightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo – the Medieval Capital of Bulgaria where the rich and glorious past of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom will be felt. Visit to the Tsarevets Hill which has been towered by the Patriarch church “Holy Ascending of God” and the St. Peter and Paul church. A few kilometres from Veliko Turnovo lies the village of Arbanassi, famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture. In the afternoon we head to Koprivshtitsa, which is a small town situated in a picturesque valley among the mountains in the central part of Bulgaria. A town with a special spirit, now turned into a museum, where you can feel the unique atmosphere of the Revival Period in Bulgaria. Overnight in Koprivshtitsa.

Day 8. Koprivshtitsa - Sofia. DepartureTransfer to Sofia (about 2 hours) for departure. Please, make sure to book your flight for a departure after 13:00 h. Or you can prolong your stay in Sofia.

Good to know: ►Please note that the program on Day 1 and Day 8 is subject to change in connection with flight times (it is for example possible to have your sightseeing trip in Sofia on Day 8, instead of on Day 1, if you have purchased tickets with late arrival/ late departure times). ► Please note that warm clothes are a must during the the cave visit.